International Aid: A Study of Canadian Opinions

A number of possible purposes exist for Canada's international aid program: humanitarian assistance, promotion of global security, and expansion of global trade. But the opinions of the Canadian public on international aid hardly fit into these official objectives. Findings from this study sugg...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revue canadienne d'études du développement 2002-01, Vol.23 (4), p.775-798
Main Author: Opoku-Dapaah, Edward
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Development programs
Foreign aid
Public opinion
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Summary:A number of possible purposes exist for Canada's international aid program: humanitarian assistance, promotion of global security, and expansion of global trade. But the opinions of the Canadian public on international aid hardly fit into these official objectives. Findings from this study suggest that self-interest, along with ethnocentrism, have led to a decline in public support for Canada's international aid program. Attitude toward international aid does not exist in isolation. It is influenced by a complex set of economic and cultural concerns that include: a) personal factors such as one's values, religion, self-interest, and economic circumstances; and b) the broader, social and economic context of Canada. The interplay of these factors indicates relatively low levels of support for international aid. The study suggests four categories into which the Canadian public might fall depending on support of or opposition to international aid.
ISSN:0225-5189
2158-9100
DOI:10.1080/02255189.2002.9669972